When I was young, nobody could convince me to step onto a roller coaster.
Now that I’m a bit — OK, a lot — older, I totally get the rush of being strapped into a machine that tosses you around at breakneck speeds. (Adulting changes tastes, apparently.)
There’s just one snag: the people who run those rides typically expect you to pay them for the privilege of screaming your lungs out. And in many cases, the fee is steep.
Maybe kid-me had a point.
How to Cut Costs on Your Busch Gardens Visit
Luckily, high prices don’t have to squash a Savinly reader’s adventurous streak.
There are plenty of tactics to trim the cost of your next visit to a beloved theme park. If you’re near Tampa, Florida, or Williamsburg, Virginia, Busch Gardens might be your destination.
Each location has roller coasters, live shows, a variety of food options and even chances to see wildlife up close.
At the risk of sounding cliché, there really is something for everyone.
Unfortunately, that variety is reflected in ticket costs — which start at $80 per person in Williamsburg and $89.99 per person in Tampa for a single day.
So we did some digging and talked to an expert to pull together the top Busch Gardens coupons, promo codes, discounts and tips to help shave down that hefty price on your next outing.
Here they are.
1. Buy tickets before you go.
Let’s be blunt: You don’t want to purchase your ticket at the park.
“Don’t ever buy your ticket at the gate. I’ll tell you that right now,” joked Busch Gardens Tampa associate marketing manager Stephanie Fred when I asked for her top money-saving tip for park admissions.
The $89.99 day pass I mentioned for Tampa? That’s an online rate. If you buy your pass at the gate, it’ll cost $104.99 — and you’ll probably wait in an awful line. No thanks.
Buying online in advance saves you both time and money — and gives you the opportunity to hunt for a better deal.
Which brings us to:
2. Do your homework for the best Busch Gardens coupons and codes.
The good news: there are plenty of Busch Gardens discount tickets, coupons and promo codes to be found.
The not-so-great news: there’s no single place that always has the best one.
“There are usually about 20 promotions going on at one time,” Fred explained, and they vary by market.
For instance, Busch Gardens Tampa partners with Publix, Firehouse Subs and Dailey’s to provide different discount offers.
You may also find deeply discounted tickets for either park on Groupon at certain times of the year.
Your best approach is to plan ahead and compare offers.
“Definitely do your research online,” Fred said.
3. Use student, AAA or military discounts if you qualify.
Adding to the complexity — but in a helpful way — Busch Gardens runs a variety of membership and special discounts.
For example, Busch Gardens Williamsburg has provided student discounts for university and college students, and Busch Gardens Tampa once offered one. (That program was reportedly paused due to low interest, but it could return.)
The parks have also offered promotions tailored to residents of their states; details change seasonally.
Many SeaWorld-owned parks, including both Busch Gardens locations, offer theWaves of Honor pass, which grants active-duty military one free park admission per year for the service member and up to three direct dependents. This perk is — unsurprisingly — available online only, not at the gate.
If you’re a AAA member, check your club’s current deals for Busch Gardens discount tickets. Past offers have included both Tampa and Williamsburg; specifics change and are available only to active members, but they may undercut prices shown on the park’s official site.
4. Think about upgrading your ticket — carefully.
No matter where you buy tickets — and whichever promos, coupons or discounts apply — if you expect to visit again soon, stepping up to a higher tier can be economical.
For example, a one-day ticket to Busch Gardens Tampa costs $89.99, as mentioned above — and that’s before parking, which currently starts at about $20. Ouch.
But for roughly $10 more, you can get a “Fun Card,” which provides free admission to the main Busch Gardens park and Adventure Island water park for the rest of the year. (That was a seasonal promotion that ended in 2017 — something similar often replaces it.)
Opting for an annual pass at around $168 (or 12 payments of $14) gives you unlimited park visits with no blackout dates and includes free parking.
That means if you visit Busch Gardens four times in a year, the annual pass pays for itself in parking savings alone.
Annual passholders also receive recurring perks — things like lanyards, ornaments and free samples during the Food and Wine Festival.
If you’re on vacation for multiple days and plan to visit more than one park, bundling tickets is typically better than buying single-day admissions separately.
Both Busch Gardens parks sell discounted packages that include entry to affiliated attractions nearby — like SeaWorld and Aquatica in Florida, or Colonial Williamsburg and Water Country USA in Virginia. If you want more than roller coasters, Tampa’s City Pass bundles a one-day Busch Gardens ticket with admission to Lowry Park Zoo, two aquariums and a choice of museum.
That said, skip frivolous extras — such as the $6 premium on already pricey parking for a slightly closer spot. If you’ll be walking all day, is a couple hundred extra yards worth it?
The bottom line: evaluate upgrades carefully and take only the ones you’ll truly use.
With so many options, it’s tempting to buy “the whole package.” Don’t rush — a thoughtful purchase can save you a good chunk of change.
5. Be savvy about food.
An upgrade that can make sense: the all-day dining plans offered at both parks.
While admission cost is the headline gripe, Fred pointed out that kids — and adults — get hungry, and the carnival-style treats inside will tempt you.
Both Busch Gardens locations sell “meal deals” that provide a set amount of food for a fixed price, so you can budget food costs instead of getting nickeled-and-dimed on turkey legs and funnel cakes.
Currently, it’s $34.99 to add the All-Day Dining Deal to an adult ticket in Tampa, and $19.99 to upgrade a child’s ticket. That might seem pricey, but consider what’s included:
- One entree
- One side or dessert
- One fountain drink, iced tea or bottled water
That wouldn’t appear impressive — until you realize you can redeem that bundle once per hour at each of the five participating restaurants in the park.
Good luck if you genuinely need more food than that to make it through the day.
(Note: “sharing is prohibited,” so every person needs their own wristband.)
Williamsburg’s current dining options are a bit more nuanced and arguably less generous.
The basic deal supplies a single meal — one entree and one snack — though the $23.59 adult rate includes two alcoholic beverages.
If you pick the “deluxe” dining plan for $33.59, you forgo the booze but get two entrees, a side and a dessert or snack, plus a 28-ounce “Drink All Day” souvenir cup for free refills of fountain drinks or ICEE — but only on the purchase day. (You can also buy that cup alone for $13.99.)
One final tip — and this toes a line — consider bringing your own packaged snacks into the park.
Although each park’s official policy states that outside food and beverages aren’t allowed, Fred says that if it’s not a full picnic meal, packaged snacks will likely get through.
Some guests have dietary needs that park food can’t accommodate, so this is often treated as a “safety” exception. It may be a bit of bending the rules — let your conscience guide you.
One thing you’re absolutely allowed to bring is your own water bottle, and we strongly recommend it.
Bottled water in parks is expensive — and essential. Refill at a water fountain to save money and reduce waste.
Happy exploring, Savinly readers — enjoy the rides!
Your Turn: What’s your favorite ride at Busch Gardens?
